Talks focus on Wild Rivers Indigenous rangers

For the first time, traditional owners groups have met to discuss how Indigenous rangers can help to protect Wild Rivers in western Queensland.

The State Government has promised 10 rangers as part of the declaration for the Cooper Creek and Georgina and Diamantina rivers.

Scott Gorringe from the Mithika people says a weekend gathering at Winton, north-west of Longreach, has allowed traditional owners to begin consultations over how the rangers will work.

"We built strong relationships, which is probably going to be key as we move forward, between the traditional owner groups," he said.

"Some of the rangers will be requiring to get onto country to do some weed control and eradicate feral animals and probably the relationships that we build with the graziers is also going to be really critical."

Mr Gorringe says the move will provide job opportunities for Indigenous people and deliver environmental benefits for communities and graziers.

"It was the first time we got together as traditional owners to discuss how the program might look for us," he said.

"It's all still in draft for us and we've worked through issues around the roles of the rangers, which will really be focused on the protection of the 'riverways' and pest and animal control."

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